The recent lack of information out of the Sabres camp in regards to Daniel Breire, Chris Drury & Thomas Vanek speaks volumes. But what does it say exactly? Everyone knows Darcy doesn't show his hand to often. Are there problems amongst the troops? The brass? Or is simply they don't know what direction this team is headed?

This should be the Sabres off-season checklist:

A. Thomas Vanek- Locking him up is the key to signing Briere or Drury
B. Decide on who they want/ need more: Briere or Drury then sign them!!!
C. Decide on the 6th D-man Paetsch, resign Numinnen or another FA
D. Dump the salry of Spacek (if possible) , Kotalik (there has to be a taker)

They lost valuable time in waiting to sign Regier & Ruff......Who does that fall on Larry Quinn? B. Thomas Golisano or does it fall on Ruff & Regier? Regier & Ruff secured new deals on 6/14/07, their season ended on 5/19/07. Thats almost 4 full weeks where they could have been dealing with Vanek, Briere & Drury. Did Darcy refuse to work without a new contract? Will this come back to bite them in the firgutive behind? or will they be fine at the end of the day?

Like I said before their silence speaks volumes but what is it saying?

June 25, 2007 1:41 PM ET
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I think it speaks volumes on the true contempt the Sabres management has for the common fan. I understand you do not want to tip your hand ...but Briere has told several media outlets he wants to stay , he is willing to stay for a FAIR hometown discount...but he has not heard from the Sabres since 5/20/07 per his recent comments in SI website article ? Regier is going to make up all sorts of excuses if they both leave after July 1 after receiving the two biggest offers for this years UFAs ......Why let them get to this point ? 10 Years of Regier = 0 Stanley Cups and every Sabres Capatin being treated like crap by this organization ( Peca, Stu Barnes , Drury , Briere .... can go back to Ruff, LaFontaine, Foligno) .....Why was REGIER RESIGNED ?

June 25, 2007 3:38 PM ET
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I don't much get it. Vanek's signing determines the picture for everyone else, and Briere should be affordable given his recent comments. Every day that goes by increases everyone's market value. So the silence can only mean that they are trying and haven't broken through or they are okay with losing everyone. Either way, wtf?

June 25, 2007 3:52 PM ET
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I think Drury leaving was and is a foregone conclusion. Yet, I'm suprised by Briere, especially with what you guys are saying about the hometown discount.Frustrating times to be a Sabres fan I guess.

June 25, 2007 4:02 PM ET
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Typical Buffalo. Tell the fans anything? NO WAY The problem is Golisano and Quinn have all ready set a budget? No problem for next year tickets are basically sold out. Quinn at the resigning press conference of Ruff and Regier made it a point to say the team budget would be higher this year. Big deal how could it not be? I say come clean tell the truth if Briere and Drury arent coming back tell us! Do they think this will be the first time Buffalo fans will feel disappointment? Its our legacy!

June 25, 2007 5:36 PM ET
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I think the biggest problem in this is Darcy Regier. His head for hockey is too big for his body. he believes that he can do what he wants when he wants. dont get me wrong Darcy is a very compitant hockey mind, with that said he is acting like these players dont matter and they are just pawns or pieces of paper that can be interchanged. the truth of the matter is that with him not doing anything he is ruining the chemistry of the team. Last year the team went out on a leap of faith and resigned tim connolly know full well that their was a good chance he may not play this year or in the future. That commitment to the team (I Believe) is what inspired to team to play their hearts out. Without confidence in the organization what will propel this team to play above themselves ?? the Stanley cup is one and maybe the only thing these players have. It just seems to me that the guys up stairs failed to remember even though this is a buisness it is also a team game and they are apart of what happens on the Ice.....

June 25, 2007 6:10 PM ET
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The fair hometown discount stuff if BS!! Why should the Sabres offer either of them anything and set the market for everyone else? Anyone who thinks these guys are going to sign b4 seeing exactly what is going to be offered is unbelievably naive. The Sabres are going to wait and see how it plays out. Then you will truly see if they wanted to stay or not. My hunch is both are gone to the highest bidder. Ruff and Regiers contracts had nothing to do with the wait.

June 26, 2007 9:19 AM ET
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I fully agree that Darcy and Lindy's contracts had nothing to do with the dealings between Briere and Drury and the Sabres club. Everyone is silent because there is no way to tell what is fair market value, until the market opens. Every team's fans, are wondering right now why is it so silent? Speculation galore, true, but that's what this time of year is all about. Nail biting on the part of Sabres fans? When hasn't that been the case? I think we will sign Briere, but Drury will sign with the highest bidder (Avalanche?).

June 26, 2007 10:35 AM ET
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Sabres want to see what Vanek is worth. You can't do that until teams are willing to talk to him, that starts today. If there are no "bidders", then they get him at more of a discount. Relax everyone. Take some Ritalin. It will all unfould in the next few days.Why am I always following JT with my comments

June 26, 2007 12:38 PM ET
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I think it's all crap! As a manager (or business owner) have a plan forward. Identify what your salary is and identify who you are going to build your team around. That is if you want to have a competitive team and win. If you're just going to allow teams to set the mark for your players, then you're not demonstrating an ability to manage your team and negotiate in good faith. Identify what Vanek and Drury or Briere's value is to you and the team and offer it to them and negotiate. If you're miles away then you probably have to walk away. If you're close, get it done. But tending a half-ass contract to retain the rights for Vanek is crap. That's like going to the neighbor's and asking them what they would pay for an antique clock. We should be getting the players we want for the price we think is fair, not well gee, the Flyers would pay 6 million for Vanek but um...we can't afford that so farewell. But if they would have offered 5.5 million, we could retain you. Well...very likely Vanek would have taken 5.5.I think Regier has done a lousy job with contract negotiations. And it has cost him some players and it has cost his boss to pay higher salaries than was probably necessary. Allowing the market to establish a players salary should be done when you can't get the deal done. And if you can't get the deal done (especially repeatedly...Peca), than you can't manage a team. You may only be able to put pieces together. Which probably won't win you a Cup.